[Gender-specific career pathways after postdoctoral qualification in ophthalmology: status quo and influencing...

Despite an increasing number of women completing postdoctoral qualifications in ophthalmology, women remain significantly underrepresented in academic leadership positions and professorships. The aim of this study was to analyze the current gender-specific status of postdoctoral career paths in ophthalmology and potential influencing factors.

An official survey of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) was conducted from August to September 2024 at the initiative of the DOG working group on women in ophthalmology. Data were collected on age, gender, information about children, childcare, current employment and reasons for remaining or leaving a university hospital or research institution as an employer.

A total of 168 of 458 colleagues participated in the survey (♀: 40%, ♂: 59%, no information: 1%). Of the male colleagues 79.8% had children living in the same household, compared to only 64.7% of women (p = 0.030), 81.8% of women and 32.9% of men took parental leave (p < 0.001) and 72.3% of women and 6.3% of men with children worked part-time (p < 0.001). If a second caregiver was present, this caregiver worked part-time in 58% of male colleagues and 15% did not work at all. In female colleagues the second caregiver worked part-time in 16% and 2% did not work at all. The overall package of benefits (♂: 57.4%, ♀: 64.4%) was cited most frequently as a reason for remaining in an academic career, while financial incentives (♂: 2.9%, ♀: 2.2%) were cited least frequently as reasons.

There is a significant discrepancy between equally qualified men and women in ophthalmology regarding childcare responsibilities. Women appear to take on the majority of childcare responsibilities, which could be one reason why females are less likely to achieve academic leadership positions.